Post wedding ceremonies form an integral part of the Indian weddings. Wedding ceremonies in India consists of several rites and rituals, beginning with the pre-wedding ceremonies. The celebration does not end with the main wedding function. As it is the beginning of a new journey for the newly wedded couple, the enthusiasm is more. There are many rituals that are performed after the main wedding is completed. The post wedding ceremony includes the reception, vidaai ceremony, dwar-rokha, griha pravesh, mooh dikhai and the pag phera.

The first post wedding ceremony is the reception party. This is the celebration done for the newlywed couple. It is mainly held at the wedding venue. All invited guests are offered a grand and lavish feast. The guests wish the bride and the groom a happy journey ahead.

As per the tradition, rituals of vidaai are carried out from the wedding venue itself. This is an emotional moment for the bride’s family as the bride sets towards a new life leaving behind her maternal house. This ritual marks the beginning of a new life for the bride.

Dwar-rokai is another important ceremony that is carried out when the newlywed couple reaches the groom’s house. The groom’s sister stops the couple at the entrance. They can enter only after they present some gifts to the groom’s sister. During griha pravesh, the groom’s mother greets the bride with aarti and tilak. The bride enters the house by dropping the pot of rice. She enters the house stepping her right foot first as it is considered auspicious. The post wedding ceremony also includes the mooh-dikahi where the bride is introduced to her in-laws and other family members.

There is a ceremony called the pag phera where the bride comes back to her father’s house and stays there for few days. After some days her husband comes to take her back.

These post wedding ceremonies signifies that the bride is now the part of a new family.